We, the One Faith, One Nation, One Voice (OFONOV) – Cordillera Chapter, coming from different Christian traditions, sects and denominations, declare our solidarity with the people of Apayao, in a prophetic chorus proclaiming that we choose life (Deuteronomy 30:15-29), to defend the rights of the poor and the needy (Proverbs 31:9), and to announce the favourable year of the Lord for justice and freedom.
We lament the brutal killing of Atty. Victor Domingo Begtang Jr., assigned to the City Prosecutor’s Office in Ilagan City, Isabela. He was shot dead by unidentified men on June 23, 2021 in his hometown in Sitio Hanhan, Barangay Malama, Conner, Apayao. We mourn over the merciless killing of Enrico “Ike” Cabasag, a Barangay Councilor of Barangay Ripang, Conner, Apayao and an environment defender. He, together with the peoples’ movement, was a vocal opposition to the river dredging project in the municipality. Some unidentified men murdered him right there in their house in the evening of March 14, 2013. His death inspired the people of Barangay Ripang to continue with their struggle and give justice to his death.
We strongly condemn these senseless and barbaric killings that took the lives of these civil servants who have dedicated their lives to the welfare and development of their hometown. It has become a deplorable pattern that government critics and political dissenters are silenced through extra-judicial killings. This is unacceptable for us in the religious sector and for the people of Apayao who believe in the rule of law and due process.
We call for a stop to the extra-judicial killings in the Province of Apayao and in the country as a whole. We believe that peace-loving civil servants of Apayao don’t deserve this. We have faith that the people will stand up for truth and justice to reign in our midst.
Let us join the peace-loving people of Apayao in their call to end the killings of critics and political dissenters. Let us support the people to speak out and make known what they believe in, and fight for what they think would benefit their generation and the future. Let us unite and stand up in pursuing justice to the killings and put those responsible behind bars.
Let us work together for it is our Christian duty to safeguard the rights of indigenous peoples, to protect them from those who would curtail their collective and basic human rights and freedoms, and to defend land, life and resources from corporate greed and plunder.
Let our voices be heard like the sound of the gongs reverberating its call for justice and peace in our land.
STOP THE KILLINGS!
STAND UP FOR JUSTICE!
But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream
– Amos 5:24
